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Though the lure of Las Vegas is its casinos, shows and never-ending buffets, there are plenty of things to do outside of the city's monstrous resorts. From water sports to camping to hiking, the area around Las Vegas is full of activities that provide fresh air and a way to work off the last seafood buffet.

Hoover Dam

Just 30 miles east of the famed Las Vegas Strip is another man-made creation of Nevada -- Hoover Dam. Completed in 1936, the dam, which crosses both Nevada and Arizona, provides water and electricity to its surrounding states. Tours of the dam's power plant and its interior passageways are available to visitors.

Lake Mead

A by-product of the Hoover Dam is Lake Mead--the largest man-made reservoir in the world. With more than 700 miles of shoreline, the lake has offerings for all types of visitors. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, sailing, fishing and kayaking. For those who prefer their fun on dry land, Lake Mead provides opportunities to go camping, biking and hiking.

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire, six miles from Lake Mead, is Nevada's oldest and largest state park. Getting its name from the red sandstone formations throughout the park's 36,000 acres, Valley of Fire offers visitors the ability to perform a number of outdoor activities. Besides visiting formations like Atlatl Rock, which provides examples of ancient Indian rock art, the park offers places to camp, hike and climb.

Red Rock Canyon

West of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Spanning 197,000 acres within the Mojave Desert, the park lets patrons take a closer look at the mountains, ranging in elevation from 4,000 to 8,000 feet, that loom behind the resorts of the Strip. While Red Rock offers some opportunities for camping, its main focus is on hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking.

Mount Charleston

If the stifling summer heat of Las Vegas becomes unbearable and the air conditioning of the casinos no longer works, travel 35 miles northwest to a cool oasis known as Mount Charleston. One of Nevada's highest peaks at 12,000 feet, the pine-forested surfaces of the mountain can be 25 to 40 degrees cooler than the city and surrounding desert. During the warmer months visitors can set up camp and hike and bike the mountain trails. During the colder months, Mount Charleston becomes the local spot for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

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About the Author

Richard Keller has written professionally since 1986 as a stringer for his local newspaper. He has also written for print outlets "Delaware Today," "Vantage," "Comics Focus" and "Rocky Mountain Parent." Online, Keller's work has appeared at TV Squad, CliqueClack TV, CliqueClack Food, USA Today Travel Tips and Fan Story. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Rutgers University.